Wanted SA fugitive Rodney Ian Clavell’s journey from father and prison guard to dangerous man
Rodney Clavell was SA’s most wanted man in 2014, shutting down the CBD in a 13-hour siege. Two of his sons have now been shot by police while on a counter-terrorism watch list — here’s how their father went from a God-fearing, law-abiding man to dangerous fugitive.
HE was the most wanted man in South Australia — and likely one of the most dangerous — but once upon a time Rodney Ian Clavell’s entire life was about God and the law.
Clavell, who today was found dead after a long standoff with police in Adelaide’s CBD, had been wanted for alleged firearms offences that breached his parole.
Today’s siege and its tragic consequence came at the end of a remarkable and very public fall from grace which astounded some of those who once felt they knew him well.
“When I knew Rodney, he was all about right, wrong and justice,” a former associate told The Advertiser.
“He and Bob Francis would have been fighting over who got to hang criminals in Rundle Mall.”
For many years, Clavell’s life was unremarkable. It is understood he had boxed as a young man and experienced some success in the sport before meeting his wife and starting a family.
By 2002, the couple had 11 children, eight of whom were under the age of 10 and nine of whom “had Biblical names”.
“He became this right-wing Christian guy but he was always pumping iron,” another person remembered. “As he was doing it he had this look, like he was angry underneath.”
A man who kept to himself, Clavell is believed to have worked variously as a boilermaker, welding instructor and labourer on the Collins Class submarines.
Sometime prior to 2002, he took on the duties of a prison guard — not long afterwards, at the age of 35, he had his first encounter with the law. “I believe things started going off the rails for him when he became a prison guard and was in daily contact with inmates — and getting assaulted at work,” the former associate said.
On November 28, 2002, Clavell appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with four counts of assaulting a family member and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was further charged with three counts of failing to comply with a restraining order.
The court heard the charges related to Clavell’s alleged assaults upon his wife and some of their children — claims he denied, and told the court he would be opposing. The court also heard Clavell had, at that time, been suspended with pay by the Department for Correctional Services.
Before that matter could be finalised, however, Clavell was dismissed by the Department in September 2003.
The Advertiser understands that, like all employees facing dismissal, Clavell was offered the opportunity to “show due cause” as to why he should keep his job, but chose not to. When he next resurfaced, in September 2004, the circumstances would cement his infamy.
It began with a high-speed police chase, as officers pursued Clavell through the Adelaide Hills and towards Mount Pleasant.
Pulling over near a farm, Clavell got out of the car with a sawn-off shotgun, pointed at his own chest and shouted “I’ll do it”.
Tactical officers were summoned but the stand-off was about to take a bizarre twist.
Clavell commandeered a 12-tonne grader from the farm’s shed and — shotgun still aimed at his heart — took off.
A slow-speed chase ensued during which the grader bogged twice. Though it sounds comical, the events of that day were anything but a laughing matter.
Clavell sparks huge city standoff
Clavell threw the grader into reverse and nearly ran down two officers, one of whom managed to shoot him in the thigh.
A third officer, standing 51m away, fired a shot that hit Clavell in the shoulder and finally brought the grader to a halt. Even then, Clavell was not finished — he stepped out pointing the fingers of one hand like a gun as if he were daring the officers to shoot him dead.
They responded, instead, with Tasers and took him into custody, during which time he told medical staff he “wanted to die”.
“Don’t let police tell you I tried to shoot them,” he said, “I’m not that sort of person.”
The episode earned Clavell a four-year jail term. While serving that sentence, a magistrate found the 2002 assault charges had not been proved “beyond reasonable doubt” and dismissed them.
Being on the other side of prison bars only served as a ticket to Clavell’s next high-profile escapade.
In October 2008, he and 35 other Port Augusta Prison inmates staged a three-day riot.
The incident began when two guards were diverted from a scheduled exercise session to supervise three prisoners in the prison hospital.
Yelling “let’s go, let’s go, it’s time, let’s do it,” Clavell and his colleagues took over the high-security Bluebush unit, smashing windows, computers and airconditioners.
Donning balaclavas, they occupied the prison’s roof throughout the following days, displaying messages daubed on mattresses complaining of overcrowding and ill treatment at the jail. Clavell took the role of group spokesman, communicating directly with police and people outside the prison.
After the riot was put down, Clavell’s matter became embroiled in a series of hearings, trials, appeals and retrials.
By the time he was finally sentenced for one count of using or threatening to use violence, he had served so much time on remand he was dismissed without further penalty.
Clavell returned to court in September 2011, charged with driving dangerously to escape a police pursuit and making off without payment.
He received a nine-month minimum jail term.
In February this year, he was acquitted of allegations he repeatedly punched a woman in the face with a leather studded glove. Clavell’s last court appearance was not for a matter of his own.
In March, he accompanied Samantha Magdaleine Farrer to the Adelaide Magistrates Court, where she is facing charges of causing death by dangerous driving.
Clavell sat quietly in the body of the court as prosecutors discussed allegations that Farrer, 37, killed cyclist Kathleen Heraghty on Inman Valley Rd last December.
Status update: In a relationship and on the run
Police Reporter Andrew Dowdell
HE was running from one of the biggest manhunts in South Australian history, yet Rodney Clavell still found time to post on his girlfriend’s Facebook page.
Clavell, 46, was in a relationship with 37-year old Samantha Farrer, who is facing serious charges over a fatal hit-run crash near Victor Harbor last year.
Farrer’s Facebook page featured a recent photograph of Clavell and his page said the duo were in a relationship.
In January, she remarked on her page that she was a “lucky girl”. Recently, Clavell — or someone using his Facebook account — replied to a post from Farrer.
In March, Clavell was photographed supporting Farrer outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court, where she is yet to enter a plea to charges of causing death by dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
Prosecutors allege Farrer was driving the car that struck and killed prominent Adelaide midwife Kathleen Heraghty, as she cycled on Inman Valley Rd in December last year.
Farrer was remanded on bail to live in a home in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs, however there was no answer when The Advertiser went to the address on Friday.
Farrer is not the only associate of Clavell to find themselves in trouble with the law in recent years.
His son, Daniel Clavell was arrested in June 2011 over an outstanding warrant after being released from prison just a month earlier.
Daniel Clavell, who has a history of violence and is a known drug user, had previously been returned to prison in March after being arrested by STAR Group officers at Goolwa golf course after a parole breach.
Last year, police were seeking the public’s help to locate Daniel and his 27 year-old brother, Richard.
At the time, police said both posed a risk to community safety and may have been in possession of firearms.